De-Stress Your Days!!

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Multivitamin Supplementation and Its Effect

on Improvements in Mood and Stress

A study of healthy older men shows a correlation between multivitamin use and beneficial effects on mood and decreased stress

Previous research has shown a correlation between deficiencies in certain micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium, and negative mood symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Because these micronutrients are found in most common multivitamin formulas it would make sense that a multivitamin might be able to help prevent some of these problems.

A study performed by the National Institute of Complementary Medicine investigated this relationship in older men. The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comprised of fifty men between the ages of 50-69. The trial took place over an 8 week period and each of the subjects in the test group was given a daily supplement that contained vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts. Both the placebo and control group were given a series of stress and mood questionnaires before and after the 8 week supplementation period in order to assess the effectiveness of multivitamins on mood on stress.

In comparison with the placebo group, the control group showed a significant reduction on an anxiety and stress scale, an improvement in alertness, and an improvement in general daily function. While this study only looked at healthy older men, the researchers believe that the results are relevant to all older people. They also cite evidence found in previous research that led them to believe that these results could be applicable to a much wider population. Furthermore, this study only looked at the chronic effects of multivitamins over the period of several weeks; others have observed that acute mood improvements can also take place. The conclusion of the study was that a multivitamin, mineral, and herbal formula taken daily may improve alertness, aid in reducing negative mood symptoms, and may also help increase feelings of general well-being.

E Harris, J Kirk, R Roswell, et al. The effect of multivitamin supplementation on mood and stress in healthy older men. Human Psychopharmacology. 2011. DOI: 10.1002/hup

6 Tips to Stay Lean While Winter Passes

6 Tips to Stay Lean While Winter Passes

 

PICK POWER CARBS

Limited sunlight can lower levels of serotonin, the feel-good hormone, and make you crave comfort foods, such as starchy carbs. Beans provide those carbs, as well as satiating protein and filling fiber (a cup has 12 grams). Findings from the National Nutrition and Health Examination Survey show that people who eat beans weigh seven pounds less on average than those who snub them.

ORDER SURF, NOT TURF

Fatty fish, like salmon and sardines, is rich in two essential waist whittlers: omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin, which we get less of during short winter days). Both control insulin levels and improve your ability to burn fat. One study reported that exercisers who took fish-oil supplements lost more fat and gained more muscle than those who went fish-oil free.

DOWNSIZE YOUR DISHES
Serve your biggest meal of the day on a 10-inch plate rather than a 12-inch one and you will reduce your calorie intake by 22 percent, or about 350 calories' worth of spaghetti and meatballs. Why? "When we see a full plate, no matter its size, we expect to be satisfied." says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

WATCH FOR INVISIBLE CALORIES

A study in Social Science and Medicine concluded that parents gain more weight than adults who don't have children. Every time you help your kids get the clean-plate award, you add to your bottom line - 25 french fries equal 250 extra calories.

SWAP BUBBLY BEVERAGES

A 150-calorie soda a day this winter can add nearly four pounds. But diet soda is not the solution. A 10-year study of 474 people found that those who drink at least two diet sodas a day increased their waist size by five times that of non-diet soda drinkers. If you want the fizz without the flab, drink calorie- and sugar-free seltzer.

KEEP YOUR CLOTHES IN ROTATION

When the cold wind is whipping, it's tempting to slip into sweats. But beware: Get too comfortable and you'll forget what's under the hoodie. Scientists at Cornell University found that prison inmates gained an average of 20 to 25 pounds six months into incarceration in part because of their baggy orange jumpsuits. The researchers recommend keeping the clothes you associate with being fit in plain view year-round. Make this tip more effective: Don't just look at your dress clothes, wear them.

More information can be found in the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of Bicycling.

Weightloss-Cont'd

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My last blog spoke about the RESET Program.  Now, more in depth concerning the RESET Program and all the benefits that it offers. Would YOU like to "RESET" your body?

5-Day RESET; The ideal jump-start to healthy living and achieving your ideal weight.

It restores your body's balance and reduces inflammation.  It gets you off the high glycemic roller coaster by stabilizing your blood sugar and eliminating your cravings for unhealthy foods.  And best of all, the typical weight loss during the RESET is 4-5 pounds!

Your 5-Day RESET kit comes with everything you need, including:

• Low-glycemic meal-replacement shakes and nutrition bars for 5 days. These foods contain a balanced array of high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, fats and fiber that give you all the nourishment you need and do not spike your blood sugar.  Best of all, they taste fantastic!

• A 5-day supply of our recommended, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements in convenient AM & PM packets.  These daily supplements provide you with optimal levels of the minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants your cells need to maintain your health and energy.
• A DVD that explains the RESET program and provides additional information on the health benefits of a low-glycemic lifestyle.

Here's how the program works: Each day for 5 days you drink 3 shakes at mealtime, eat a nutrition bar for both your morning and afternoon snacks, plus one serving of fruit and one serving of raw vegetables anytime during the day. While on the RESET, you also drink eight to ten glasses of water and exercise moderately for 20-30 minutes per day.  Those who want to lose weight may lose as much as 4-5 pounds on the RESET.  But the most important result of the RESET is that it puts the body in a healthy state so that it is easier to make healthy food choices.

Please contact me at successinternational@usana.com if you have any questions.  Have a great day!! -Amy

Weightloss-It's as easy as 1,2,3!!

 RESET YOUR BODY, RESET YOUR LIFE, RESET YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM

1. Most participants lose 4-5 lbs in the first 5 days, and 5-15 lbs total after 30 days.

2. Learn to control cravings, hunger and mood swings by balancing your blood sugar.

3. Save money on your grocery bill with healthy, delicious smoothies and bars.

PROGRAM WARNING!!!

 YOU WILL HAVE MORE ENERGY, MORE SELF CONFIDENCE, AND A WHOLE NEW YOU!! 

Contact Amy @ pays2do@usana.com for 10% off the suggested retail price of the Reset Program.